India-W blow away New Zealand with a class act from the bowlers

A new-look Team India hit the yard against the recently crowned T20 World Champions, New Zealand and the Women in Blue were bang on their money to wrest a clinical victory in Ahmedabad. Winning the toss, India captain, Smriti Mandhana opted to bat first but her early departure threw a giant spanner in India’s plans.

Shafali Verma (33) and Yastika Bhatia (37) joined forces to stabilize the Indian ship as the duo added 37 runs for the second wicket. Despite a couple of wickets falling in between left India slightly rattled, a solid show from the trio of Jemimah Rodrigues (35), debutant Tejal Hasanabis (42) and Deepti Sharma (41) allowed India to shake off the early jitters.

However, once the troika of Indian resistance was broken, from thereon it was a crawl for the Indian batters as they made their way to a warring 227. Amelia Kerr was the pick of the bowling lot with figures of 4/42. Tejal Hasabnis was the leading run-scorer for India while Deepti Sharma’s anchor knock allowed India to continue fighting.

Despite a slip-up with the bat, the Indian bowlers were quick to climb upon the bandwagon of dominion and shoehorn New Zealand into a tight corner. Another debutant, Saima Thakor removed the seasoned Suzie Bates even before the Kiwis could get into the groove. However, Georgia Plimmer (25) and Lauren Down (26) did come together to pile up a 33-run stand for the second wicket.

Just when it felt that New Zealand might just challenge India’s authority, a double blow from Deepti Sharma, first with the ball in her hand to remove Plimmer followed by one in the field to get the better of the New Zealand skipper, Sophie Devine.

Despite bursts of resilience from Lauren Down (26), Brooke Halliday (39), Maddy Green (31) and Amelia Kerr (25*), New Zealand could hardly fine any rhythm and the Indian bowlers kept on chipping away at the wickets. Radha Yadav asserted her authority once again with figures of 3/35 while a brace for Saima Thakor who made her international debut saw the White Ferns getting bundled out for 168.

Deepti Sharma won the Player of the Match for her incredible display of resilience with the bat in her hands while bagging the crucial wicket of Georgia Plimmer with the ball. India will be playing their second ODI against New Zealand on Sunday.